The countdown is on! December marks the final
month of the 2000s, so it's ok to feel a little nostalgic this week. Party like
it's 1995 tonight with Damn Gina $2 Drinks, a dance party that gives props, at
least in name, to the popular 90s sitcom "Martin". Two classic music acts,
The Black Crowes and Morrissey will also grace Bay Area stages this week.
The Crowes take over the Fillmore for their annual multi-night stand, which
runs through Sunday, and Morrissey brings his songs of heartache and loneliness
back to Oakland's Paramount Theater on Wednesday. Take some time out for
charity on Thursday and catch up on your holiday shopping needs over a few
drinks at 1015 Folsom with Homemade Ho-Down 2009. If you can't find anything
good to purchase there, the Lower Haight Art Walk on Friday will offer plenty
of options with dozens of artists and more than 30 neighborhood merchants.
Saturday provides more opportunity for nostalgia with the
Vandals' annual Christmas social at Slim's, a holiday tradition for the 80s punk
rockers. And at Poleng Lounge, Dam Funk returns with his brand of futuristic funk
that samples heavily from obscure 80s funk. The clock is ticking!

The Black Crowes are a blues-oriented hard rock jam band that has sold over 20 million albums and were hailed by Melody Maker as "The Most Rock 'n' Roll Rock 'n' Roll Band in the World". In 1990, the readers of Rolling Stone named it the 'Best New American Band'...

Every Tuesday Euro babes, business men, and the most seen scenesters descend upon the Ambassador for the biggest SF party named after a sitcom. Come try to impress your friends by using big words like circumvent and accolades. This week we will be holding a contest to see who has the most bdazzled t-shirt...

James Bradley, author of "Fly Boys" and "Flags of our Fathers" joins the World Affairs Council and the Marines' Memorial Club to speak about his new book, "The Imperial Cruise," a startling look at the events that set the stage for World War II, the Chinese Communist Revolution, and the Korean War.

This British singer-songwriter began his career as the lyricist and vocalist of the Smiths and in his solo career has evolved into one of the most influential and innovative artists in pop music today. By turns enigmatic and outspoken, Morrissey has developed a singular talent for...

The sister recording to 2007's Red Album, Blue Record is an instantly-classic album, with all the peaks and valleys, textures, and nuances that timeless records yield over repeated listens. Deep and dark; Blue Record overflows with gossamer melodies and striking, earnest riffs...

The abundance of craft shows hitting the Bay Area this holiday season has inspired local artisans selling their handmade items on Etsy to launch their own event called the Handmade Ho Down. Shoppers are increasingly looking for artisan handcrafted items. The SF Etsy Street Team recognized the superb talent...

David Harness is one of the most popular DJ/producers in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has been described as "a man who lives, breathes and emanates everything that is beautiful about deep house music and classic garage." Over the years David has shared the decks with...

Nearly 30 merchants are participating with art shows, live painting, live music, bands outside on the sidewalks, drinks, snacks, merriment, and tons of specials. Merchants will also be competing for Best Window Display and Best Decorated sidewalk tree...

Mr. Freeland's range has grown each year as he's continued to impress with his ability to rock you in a myriad of ways. His full length artist album, Cope, released with his Freeland Live project continues to give him momentum and his sound refuses to be pigeon holed into a single genre except to know that it rocks...

'Special Disco Version' is an old term for a dance interpretation of a pop song, now known as a remix. It was frequently printed on a circular sticker and slapped on the record's sleeve, left for Murphy and Mahoney to discover 30 years later as they plumbed the bins at New York record stores...

December's SF Vegan Bake Sale will feature goods from even more bakers - professionals and amateurs alike. Highlights include Cinnaholic Sweets, who recently took 1st place in SF Food Wars' Mini Cupcake Clash, Sugar Beat Sweets, Violet Sweet Shoppe, whose goods can be sampled at Rainbow Grocery as well as local cafes...

Call them veterans, seasoned, influential, seminal, whatever clever adjective you pick, there's no denying The Vandals have earned their place in punk history. They've released over a dozen albums, have toured the world countless times and have kept the same line-up for over 20 years...

Hear him DJ from his rare vinyl collection as well as perform some of his own tracks! Pickpocket (Donuts) & Beat Electric DJs will open up, as well as Marky (aka Proof) of Massive Selector/Sweater Funk in the Sweater Funk lounge with Jon Blunck & Guillermo!

Treat your children to holiday melodies from around the world at the annual Deck the Hall: Children's Holiday Concert and Party. Hear festive holiday tunes from around the globe, and sing along to carols with the Orchestra.

Bay Area's own, this neo soul singer began her career singing in the Oakland Youth Choir. With her hit song "Closer", she got national recognition for her talent in 2001. You can't miss this show, with her inspirational lyrics and soothing vocals.

The San Francisco Rotaract Club is hosting a hearty chili cook-off on December 6th to benefit San Francisco's Old Skool Café and Itsotseng Kids Club in Johannesburg, South Africa. Showcase your culinary skills by entering a chili recipe or come taste the competing dishes vying for the top three prizes...

Film Arts Forum is the Film Society's bimonthly information-sharing, discussion, networking, professional development filmmaker jamboree. It's an opportunity for Bay Area filmmakers and cineastes to meet one another and talk about their craft.

From his groundbreaking transcriptions of Radiohead, Elliott Smith and Nick Drake to his unforgettably sublime interpretations of the Classical canon, pianist Christopher O'Riley has stretched the piano beyond conventional boundaries...